Giveaway Winner

I used a random number generator from Random.Org and the lucky number was #3.  Dawn from P.S. He Loves You, Congratulations!

Book Review- Rachel's Tears

A couple of weeks ago I found this great resource for getting free books. Thomas Nelson Publishers sends me a book of my choosing (I got to choose from a group of four that the site offered) and in return I write up a review on the book and post it on my blog. For a girl who loves to read this was a no-brainer. Sign Me Up!

Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrel Scott with Steve Rabey

Rachel Scott was one of the 13 people shot and killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. This book was written by her parents to help the world know more about their daughter and her deep desire to live for the Lord.

This was not a book for reading enjoyment, but a book to help open the readers eyes to Rachel's life here on earth. There are parts of this book that are hard to read. It is emotional and you can feel the pain of her parents. There pain is real and raw and my heart ached for them as I read it. But most importantly you see the love they have for their daughter and the Lord.

What I found really interesting were Rachel's journal entries that were included in the book. They really help the reader see and understand who she was and what she stood for. This young lady was all about living for her Lord. Her desire was to shine for her Savior and it is very evident in this book. But, in this book you also see her human struggles and I think it helps to make her seem more real to the reader.

This book does contain information about and some conversations between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the murders. It is intense and real (only the first letter of curse words are printed).

I would have to say I didn't agree with everything printed in this book. But I am glad I got a chance to read it. It helped me know more about a young lady who was on fire for the Lord and in her death has brought thousands to seek the Lord.

Got Hair?

Since this will be the last week that Kristen hosts Sincerely Fro Me To You, I figured I would dedicate this one to her.

Kristen, since you are all about big hair and you harbor that special place in your heart for perms, I thought I would share a few of my big hair pictures with you.  But, please keep in mind that God gave me a permanent perm at conception! There was nothing I could do but roll with it.

Senior Prom April 1992. 

I decided to go and get my hair done, because I wanted to look a-w-e-s-o-m-e for my guy. (something I have never done again, the hair styling part, that is!)  When the stylist got done I almost freaked.  My hair was HUGE.  It was tremendously poofy and if I hadn't felt this was such an important event I would have laughed hilariously. Instead I had to fight the urge to cry. As soon as I got home I tried squishing it down, but the guy had plastered my head with hair spray.  I did succeed in calming it some, but it still looked like my head had sprouted, like an uncontrollable Chia-Pet.  This picture is the result of me trying to tame my curly do and not totally succeeding!

Engagement Picture October 1992

Fast forward 6 months- Joel asked me to marry him the day I graduated from high school.  Looking back that was quite the eventful year! The reason why I included this picture is that it shows the tightness of my curls.  This was a wash and dry hair-do.  I washed, let it air dry and Wa-la this is what I got. Curls galore. I'm pretty sure I had more than my fair share of hair.

Homecoming at my Alma Matter September 1993

Finally a year later, at my sisters homecoming where she was crowned Homecoming Queen- isn't she beautiful!  Once again we are both sporting a head full of curly hair. And me, I stylin' with the way cool rolled jeans!

So, there you have it!

Thanks Kristen for hosting this great carnival where we can all post our pictures from the past.

Just a little shout out to Big Hair Envy- Don't hate me! ;) Because I still think Wilma's got us all beat!

*Leave a comment on my Tuesday post to be entered in a giveaway.*

A Perfect Love

As I was picking up the thousandth LEGO of the day, I wearily sighed and felt the frustration mount in my chest.  My seven year old son passed through the room and sweetly said, "I love you mom, you are the best mommy ever!" 

It wasn't the first time I had heard this precious statement.  My son rewards me with this affectionate statement daily.  I never know when he will lovingly send out his adoration's.  He never uses the statement as a vice to get something he wants or because I have done something amazingly, wonderful for him.  No, he just shares his love with me unconditionally. Even on days when I know I really don't deserve such high accolades....

You can read the rest of my article At The Well today.

 

 **If you haven't left a comment on my Tuesday post make sure you do so that you can be entered into my Giveaway!**

I've Found My Niche' and A Giveaway

On February 11th, I celebrated my first full year of blogging. There wasn't a band, balloons, speeches or hundreds of blog friends with me to celebrate! But, I did have a tremendous sense of accomplishment, so I did my own little victory dance! My kids looked at me like I had lost the other half of my mind.

I never would have imagined when I first started putting my thoughts on this blog, how much blogging would me to me.

This is my niche'. This is my place.  A place where I can write what is on my heart.  Or share just my normal non-exciting day to day events.  This is where I can have a few minutes of "me" time.  I love being a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom, but it can be very isolating, especially in our very rural area. There are times when I just yearn for a connection with other moms.  Blogging helps me reach out of my little sphere and brings other moms into my life and heart.

Blogging has brought me closer to the Lord.  I have read so many godly women's blogs and they have inspired me to spend more time in the Bible. To pray more. To seek God's will for my life.  All things I had been doing before, but not with the intensity that I am seeking them now.

Here in this place I have made so many wonderful friends.  Most I will probably never see face to face, but that doesn't matter.  We are connected through our hearts.  So, as a way to say thank you to all the friends I have made this year and any new ones that I may make in the year to come, I have gotten together a little giveaway.

All of these items were handmade by little ol' me. Nothing fancy. But made for you with my hands and heart. Leave me a comment, the winner will get a crocheted dishcloth, a crocheted baby cloth for messy hands, face or to use in the bathtub, a set of 8 blank note cards with nature pictures taken by me or my sister, and finally a set of 6 flower refrigerator magnets.

I will choose a random winner on Friday at 10:00 pm (EST).  So leave me lots and lots of comments.  I want to hear from all of you!

I Heart Faces- Black and White

Its black and white week at I Heart Faces. I love this picture of my son Jacob. I love how it captures his deep brown eyes and hair. Not to mention I just think he is absolutely adorable, but I could be just a little smitten!

The Blessing of a True Friend

Are you blessed with a friend who knows you?  I mean really knows you?  She knows all your insecurities, all your goofy quirks, and you not-so-nice attitudes, yet she still loves you? 

I am.

I have one of the greatest friends of all time- Heather.  Heather and I have known each other since high school.  She was actually a year younger than me and one of my sisters friends.  But, my senior year in high school was a hard one and my best friend and I had had a falling out.  So, I went to my first and closest friend, for support and comfort- my sister (that is an entirely different post).  This is when I first began to realize what an awesome friend Heather was.

Heather is generous with her love and friendship, she is a true friend.  I could write pages and pages about all the times she has shown this to me, but instead I will just share the most recent example.

SPLASH UNIVERSE!

Heather, took me, my three boys and her son to this awesome hotel for a fun filled weekend.  And she wouldn't hear of letting me pay for one single bit of it! I told you she was generous! And I am immensely grateful for all she does for me.

We had so much FUN! 

The boys splashed, floated, leaped, climbed, slid and got drenched.  But you should have seen Heather and I, because we were right there with them doing it all! Talk about a couple of big kids!

 

When we were all sufficiently water logged we would head back up to our hotel room and stuff our faces with junk food that we had brought with us.

It was great to be able to relax before the next round of water excitement.

Thank you Heather for being such a wonderful friend.  I love you so much! I needed this weekend!  It was great to do nothing, but laugh, talk, deep, meaningful girl talk, and enjoy spending a weekend with one of my greatest and best friends! You are such a blessing to me! Thank you for being my TRUE friend.  I Love You, Dearest Friend!

 

Spring

Oh dear spring where are you?

I miss your tints of color.  I miss your soft breezes.  I miss your sunshine.  I miss your fresh scent. I miss your show of new life.  I miss your warmth on my cheeks. I miss your cool dirt on my hands.

I MISS YOU!

Just feeling a bit house bound today!  The wind is whipping around our house and the air is biting cold.  I'm ready to get outside and enjoy the beauty of God's creations.  I know it will be here soon though, because today we saw a small flock of red wing blackbirds in our backyard.  A sure sign that spring is on its way!

Don't Leave It On The Desk

*This story was sent to me via e-mail. I have had the opportunity of reading it before and it is an awesome example of Christ's self-less love. I wanted to keep it in a good place so I could read it again and again. What better place than on my blog! So, if you have read this before, just pass this post on by or read it again and be blessed by it. If you haven't read this before, take the time to read it, you won't be sorry.*

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr.Christensen, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States . Dr. Christensen taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular Institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christensen tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christensen had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christensen asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. 'How many push-ups can you do?'

Steve said, 'I do about 200 every night.'

'200? That's pretty good, Steve,' Dr. Christensen said. 'Do you think you could do 300?'

Steve replied, 'I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.'

'Do you think you could?' again asked Dr. Christensen.

'Well, I can try,' said Steve.

'Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it?

I need you to tell me you can do it,' said the professor.

Steve said, 'Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it.'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.'

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.

When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the BIG, extra fancy kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.

Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the year, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christensen's class.

Dr. Christensen went to the first girl in the first row and asked, 'Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?'

Cynthia said, 'Yes.' 

Dr. Christensen then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?' 'Sure.'  Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christensen put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christensen then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, 'Joe, do you want a donut?'

Joe said, 'Yes.'

Dr. Christensen asked, 'Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?'

Steve did ten push-ups! , Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christensen came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.   When the professor asked, 'Scott do you want a donut?'

Scott's reply was, 'Well, can I do my own push-ups?'

Dr. Christensen said, 'No, Steve has to do them.'

Then Scott said, 'Well, I don't want one then.'

Dr. Christensen shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?' With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. 

Scott said, 'H EY! I said I didn't want one!' 

Dr. Christensen said, 'Look! this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.' And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down . You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christensen started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christensen asked Jenny, 'Jenny, do you want a donut?'

Sternly, Jenny said, 'No.'

Then Dr. Christensen asked Steve, 'Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?'

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say 'No' and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. 

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of  the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christensen asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. 

Dr. Christensen started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students

in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christensen went on to the next person and the next and the next.  Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.  Steve asked Dr. Christensen, 'Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?'

Dr. Christensen thought for a moment, 'Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.' And Dr. Christensen went on.  

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, 'NO!  Don't come in! Stay out!' 

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, 'No, let him come.'

Professor Christensen said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?' Steve said, 'Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut.' 

Dr. Christensen said, 'Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?' Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. 'Yes,' he said, 'give me a donut.'  Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?' Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. 

Dr. Christensen finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christensen went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, 'Linda, do you want a donut?'

Linda said, very sadly, 'No, thank you.'

Professor Christensen quietly asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?' Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. 

Then Dr Christensen turned to the last girl, Susan. 'Susan, do you want a donut?'

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. 'Dr. Christensen, why can't I help him?' 

Dr. Christensen, with tears of his own, said, 'No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task, and he is in charge of seeing  that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped  class, or offered me inferior work. 

Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your pushups. He and I madea deal for your sakes.' 

'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?' As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor. 

Dr. Christensen turned to the room and said. 'And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into Thy hands I commend My spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk,  uneaten.'  

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. 

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the professor, adding 'Not all sermons are preached in words.'

Turning to his class, the professor said, 'My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church,  now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid.' 'Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?'

 

*I don't know who the author of this is, but it is an amazing testimony to Christ's love for us! And a great way to share what God has done for us with those who don't believe.*

I Heart Faces- Wonder

Oops! I messed up and put up the wrong picture today for this weeks photo.  I really need to follow directions better!  Here is the correct entry!

Its wonder week at I heart faces.  Here is my nephew Lucas looking with amazement and wonder at the Monarch Butterfly that his cousins raised from a caterpillar.

 

Jenn

 

What To Do...

I have come across this eternal question of home school mom's many times-

What do you do with a two-year-old while you home school?

Well I for one vote for child labor.  Why not make them keep house, while mom teaches school?

Just think you could have hot, gooey cookies for mid-morning snack. Or...

You can have your laundry all folded before lunch. Or...

You could have your floors vacuumed spotless while you teach math.

 

All kidding aside! Here are some things I do with Lauren while I work with the boys:

• Lauren has her own pencil box and access to paper and coloring books. She gets those out when the boys first sit down to do school.  This entertains her any where from 10-20 minutes
• I don't restrict her on how many toys she gets out or where she places them.  Most days my house looks like a disaster area by lunch time, but it keeps her busy and quiet enough for the boys to concentrate.
• If she is being particularly ornery and disruptive (if you read my blog you know all about the pampered princess and her wishes) I give one of the boys a break from school and have them go play with her.
• Until recently she never watched T.V. not even for 2 minutes. But now that she is showing interest, I am stooping low and blatantly disobeying the American Academy of Pediatrics T.V. viewing guidelines for toddlers!  Little Bear videos have become my best friend!
• Snack time is always a good distraction.  Nothing keeps a toddler quiet like a cracker shoved into the mouth and a sippy cup full of milk.
• Finally if she gets into meltdown mode, I just simply give the boys a 10 minute break, pull my distressed baby into my lap and read a couple of her favorite story books.

How about you?  If you homeschool what do you do with you little ones while you teach your older children?

My Week in Review...2/08-2/14

It has been a bit busier here this week and I didn't get to read all the posts written by my friends here in blogland. I hope a can get caught up soon (right after I clean the toilets and strip the beds)!  So until I can get caught up with all of you and what's been happening in your lives here is a little glimpse into mine.

What I've Been Thinking:  At least a thousand things have been floating through my head and about three-quarters of them have gotten lost in the great unknown!  One of them that I was able to keep track of was that I want to get my children more involved in ministering to the ladies and gentlemen at the nursing home where my grandmother resides.  I know that the residents really enjoy seeing my children and talking with them.  I think it will help build compassion and social graces in my children as well.

What I've Been Doing:  We delivered Valentines to the residents at the nursing home and to the widows in our neighborhood yesterday.  It was a fun experience for the boys and they enjoyed bringing smiles to the ladies and gentlemen whom they gave to.  I also have been enjoying spending some time with my sister Marisa, nephew and niece who are here for a weekend visit.  I got the opportunity to have a young (teenage) girl, from my church, over for an afternoon of crocheting.  It was a relaxing time that we both needed and we enjoyed working on a new project together. 

What I've Been Dreaming: I'm still dreaming of spring and probably will be for the next month!  I made out my seed order for my vegetable garden and will be anticipating its arrival in the mail.

What I've Been Praying:  This could be an extra long list so I will pick only a couple of things to talk about. 

1. I've been praying for a young mother who's husband died right before Christmas.  She has 3 young daughters and is in deepest sorrow right now. 
2. I've also been praying for the physically needy in our church.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with you loved ones.  God Bless each of you!

To My Husband- With Love

                                                                                                        You are my rock. You have an awesome strength that I lack.  Yes, you are strong, physically, but there is something within you that I know I can depend upon. When I am weak you are strong.  You carry us through the rough times with your wisdom and ability to keep, keepin' on.  I know that I can lean on you when I am feeling vulnerable. You will protect me and share some of the inner strength you possess, making me feel loved and secure. 

 

You are my love.  Its hard to believe we have been together 20 years (married 16).  I knew from that day you followed me home that I would marry you!  But, I never would have dreamed how much more I would love you in the years to come.  God has blessed us with a wonderful marriage.  After 16 years, I love you with all my heart and I know you feel the same for me.  We share a special bond and I can't wait to spend the next 20 years and more with you.

You are my comic relief. You are a goofball plain and simple!  You fill our house with laughter and squeals of joy.  Our children love the games you play with them.  When I am having a crummy day you know just what to say to lighten the mood and make me laugh!  There will never be a dull moment in our lives because you keep it full with humor.  And I can't stop giggling at you!

 

You are an awesome dad.  Our children are so blessed to call you Papa! The boys love the time you spend hunting and fishing with them.  Not to mention the running, wrestling and teasing that occurs daily.  Thank you for taking the time to show your love for them.  They will always remember you for your willingness to create special bonds with each of them.   And our little princess, well I know she will always have a special place in her heart for her daddy.  How couldn't she when you are willing to attend tea parties and read books whenever she summons!

You are part of me.  I can't begin to imagine life without you.  You are my friend, my security, my strength, my love and my life.  God gave me to you and you to me.  We are as one.  Even when we are angry with one another, we know that there is no seperating us.  We will be as one even if death should part us. 

God has blessed me with you. 

You are mine forever!

For more posts from ladies honoring their husbands today visit Kristen.  She is holding a carnival all about love today on her site We Are THAT Family.

I Heart Faces- Silly

I'm sure this picture won't win the photo contest, but it is one of my favorites of my son Jacob, so I just had to post it. He is my silly kid! If you get the camera out he's sure to be hamming it up!

To see more silly kid pictures go to I heart faces.

Jenn

At The Well- What Are Your Motives

Gather At the Well today to discuss an important and deep question: Are my motives pleasing to you, God?

The discussion question is:

What is the real underlying motive for all the good stuff that you do?

FOR EXAMPLE:

Do you go to church to fulfill an obligation?

Do you get involved to get a reaction from someone; possibly pity, recognition or even money?

Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom to analyze the new teacher or is it to help?

Do you share prayer requests for a chance to gossip or because you truly care and are praying?

..............................................................................

Are my motives pure?  For me this has been a loaded question.  I have toiled over what I would write for this post.  I have started and deleted, started again only to erase half of what I have written.  How do I put into words that at times I have been full of selfishness.  My motives, at times, have been anything but pure.  Because if I write that people will know me for who I really am.  The imperfect soul who looks for praise and affirmation from those around her. 

This is my trap.  I require a big old pat on the back.  A word of confirmation.  The recognition of a job well done.  There are times when I find myself doing certain activities because I know it is required of me. Or because it will make me look good.  Or because that's what a "good" Christian does. I simply want people to like me. I want them to see me as a godly woman.  I desire to here praises from the lips of others.

I am too concerned about how I appear outwardly to those around me. But what the Lord cares about is my inner self.  My heart, my soul, the very essence of who I am.

So, who am I?  I am a young woman who desires to grow in my relationship with the Lord. I am a woman who is learning to yearn after the things of God more and more.  I am a woman who knows the Lord cares for my soul and that I must draw near to him so that He will draw near to me.(James 4:8)  I am a woman who aches to do more for the needy.  I am a woman who's heart is full of love for those around me. And yes, I am a woman who sometimes struggles with impure motives (among other things).

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this wonderful ministry- At The Well.  Today it has opened my eyes to an aspect of myself that isn't pleasing to you.  I have been guilty of impure motives.  Lord help me to act out of love and sincerity not out of obligation or desire of human praise.  Forgive me Lord and cleanse me from my sin.  Help me Lord to always seek you for guidance before I act, so that my motives remain pure and pleasing in your sight.

My Week in Review...

I enjoy reading posts on my friends blogs that let me get a little glimpse of what their lives are really like.  So, I decided to try something.  On Saturdays I will write a post that reviews my week and what I have been doing, thinking, praying or dreaming about.

What I've been thinking:  Valentine's Day is coming up and a thought that has bumping around in my head is that- I would like to have the boys make Valentine Cards to hand out at the nursing home where my grandmother lives.  It would be a great experience for them and I know the elderly ladies and gentlemen would enjoy receiving a card.

What I've been doing: Well this is the really exciting part....laundry, potty training (Lauren not me, just in case you were wondering!), cooking, home schooling, breaking up disagreements, wiping a snotty nose (Lauren again, she's high maintenance), picking up toys, laundry (yeah, this is worth mentioning twice), and reading my Bible and some school books, so that I can keep at least one step ahead of Isaac. 

What I've been dreaming: I am dreaming about spring! I can't wait to get out in my garden.  I am really hungry for some fresh produce and my eyes are longing to see the first blooms of spring.

What I've been praying: This could be an extra long list so I will pick only a couple of things to talk about. 

• I have been praying for God to spark a fire of longing in my family.  I want each of us to desire a close personal relationship with the Lord. 
• I have been praying for my brother, his wife and their two children as they adjust to a new country.  Their apartment is right across for a mosque and they hear the call to prayer 5 times a day with the first one occurring an hour before dawn. Plus my brother says everyone seems to have a horn in their left hand!

There you have it my very normal, unexciting life laid out for all to read about!

Feel The Love

In celebration of Valentine's Day I decided to post some pictures of familial love!

 

Brotherly love.

 

Grandfatherly love.

 

Sisterly love. Oh yes, that is me in the front, very pregnant with my 3rd son!  Feel free to comment on the whole ensemble and the squished pumpkin I am carrying around my middle.

 

Cousin love.   SMOOCH!

 

 

Love of a spouse. (On a very humid day!) But special to me all the same.  It seems I always get pictures of everybody else and rarely a picture of me and my love. 

So, in celebration of this love month, go out and give the loves of your life a great big hug and maybe a smooch or two!

To see more memories in picture form head over to Kristen's for the Sincerely Fro' Me To You  carnival.

Learning From God's Word

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.      Psalm 19:14

I came across this verse about a week ago.  I have been memorizing it for the past couple of days and I think I have it down. I know it isn't long, but sometimes I have a hard time keeping the words in the correct order!  I also have been meditating on it throughout my days, trying to glean from it what the Lord would have me to learn. 

I have found that picking a verse and focusing on it for a week or two is a great way for me to immerse myself in God's word.  As a mom of four children and a home schooling one at that, I find the day has started and ended before I know it.  This is one way that I can keep my mind on the things of the Lord.  It isn't overly taxing to focus on a single verse and I can gain so much wisdom from God's words.

Another way I plan to focus on the Lord is to pray the verse I am learning over each of my children, myself and my husband.  So with Psalm 19:14 it would go something like this... 

Dear Heavenly Father,

May the words of Isaac's mouth and the meditation of his heart be pleasing to You.  Help him to guard his thoughts and his words.  Fill him with compassion and help him to speak with kindness.  Help him to please You, His Rock and Redeemer.

How about you?  How do you focus on the Lord during your busy days?

The Eyes Have It!

I love this picture of Lauren. It shows the beautiful blue color of her eyes!

Join in on the photo contest at I heart faces and check out all the other great photographs of beautiful eyes.

At The Well- The Heart of Titus 2

Today is the kick-off of the new At The Well! Join in- gain some wisdom, encouragement and insight.  Plus there will be great prizes to win.

To participate in the Gathering at the Well all you need to do is answer the questions below on your blog, place the banner above on your post or mention the meme then link up to At The Well.

• When you read the Scripture found in Titus 2:2-5, how do you see this playing out in your own life?
  
• What are your areas of strength? Of weakness?
  
• If you could set some sort of goal in relation to this Scripture, what would it be?

Teach older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subjected to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 

Titus 2:2-5 may only be four verses long, but it is packed with advice on how I, as a mother and wife, can walk close with God.  For me these aren't just guidelines that I might want to follow.  These verses are a life line to joy.  They help me walk the path God has for me as a mother, wife and woman. 

One area of strength would be that I am busy at home.  I love being a home-maker for my family.  I enjoy all the aspects of keeping a home.  I strive to make my home a place where we can find rest, peace, joy and comfort.

An area of weakness would be self-control. At times I let things bother me way more than I should.  I tend to be a perfectionist so I can loose a little of my self-control when things don't go as I planned!

As I continue to study these verses my desire is to focus on showing pure love to my husband and children.  God commands us to love others as we love our selves.  We are to put others first before ourselves. Ephesians 6:7 says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,".  I must remember to serve my family with love, self-control and kindness.  To do so will reflect Christ's love.  If I love my family as Christ loves me, then I will be able to say that I am living as a Titus 2 woman.